Welcome to the JLT! Yeah, not being in Japan really does make things harder, but there’s still a considerable amount you can do in the meantime (before you go). It’s just learning how to learn, among other things. Memorization doesn’t really work, but finding a routine to practice does, and the Internet makes things far easier than it once did.

Best of luck,
Doug

I find it difficult to practice speaking and comprehension without being in Japan. Being surrounded by English all the time is extremely distracting. On the other hand, I neither have a Degree (thus rendering something like JET well beyond my reach in spite of my profession and skill with the English language) nor a Japanese partner. Curses.

I suspect that, sooner or later, I’m just going to take the plunge and go live in Japan off my savings for a few months, perhaps attend some Kumon classes while there.

I shall certainly give those graded reader books a shot in the meantime, though! Thanks

Troo.

I think the listening section is by far the most difficult section, but at the same time, probably the most important. One cannot communicate unless they can actually understand what’s said, and unfortunately it’s also the slowest skill to master. That’s because you cannot cram or memorize for it. Even if you learn a lot of vocabulary, you have to consistently expose yourself to spoken language so that the words are understood automatically. You can’t waste time thinking and remembering what a word means. It must be understood to the point that it’s automatic. Then, when you go into the JLPT or any Japanese speaking situation, it’s acatually kind of easy.

With that said, your best bet is to just expose yourself to Japanese media constantly. it should be dynamic, not just one movie or two over and over again. You need fresh content, and you need to listen to it almost daily. Doesn’t have to be for a long duration, but just getting your ear used to it.

Podcasts are one great way of doing this, as are online shows. Both are linked here on the blog at certain points. Just keep doing it, and you’ll be surprised how much easier things become. Speaking from experience, when you take the JLPT listening section sounds slow because you’re used to natural speed (they dumb it down for us foreign students because most are not used to native speed). You’ll be surprised. Try it out for a year and by the next JLPT, your listening skills should be stronger.

Good luck!

Hajime mashite!
Venkatesh desu.Indo-jin desu.
Yoroshiku!

* BOWS __/=== *

I took the level 3 JLPT test on last December 6th and passed! I passed by the skin on my teeth, but I still passed.

My Score Report:

文字・語彙 : 76/100
聴解 : 35/100
読解・文法 : 148/200

Total = 259/400(64.75%)

As you can see my score deatils, my score in Listening section refelects how terrible i’m when it comes to listening, thats always been my weakest area and i’m finding it really hard to improve in this particular section obviously because i’m from india and i don’t get to talk to native speakers much other than my sensei who is a japanese.

I need your valuable suggestion on improving my listening skill.

Thanks in advance!
Yoroshiku!

Ja mata.